Think of a Scottish place to spend a few days on holiday or even just for a short weekend break & it is doubtful that Aberlour will spring to mind. Which is quite a shame because this small village in North East Scotland has a lot going for it.
Charlestown of Aberlour (to give it its proper title) is situated 56 miles south east of the highland capital Inverness, 60 miles North West of Aberdeen & 35 miles east of Aviemore. It means that should you use Aberlour as a base, you are only around one hour twenty minutes driving time from most of these places. You are also close to the ski centre at the Lecht, dolphin watching on the Moray coastline & about two hours from Loch Ness. If that's not enough Aberlour is surrounded by beautiful countryside for walks, cycling & fishing, golf courses & whisky distilleries.
You could drive through Aberlour in about two to three minutes flat & not notice anything, it's that kind of place, nothing stands out to catch your attention, you have to look for it. Aberlour is nestled in the Spey valley & its main street runs parallel with the River Spey. You can walk along the riverside & enjoy the scenery or drive off the main street at the square towards a large car park. Park up & enjoy a scenic picnic area with friends over looking the river, the same river than you can legally fish from.
HISTORY Aberlour was previously known as Skirdustan, a Gaelic name, it changed to Charlestown of Aberlour in 1812, the
term 'Lour' comes from the burn that meets the River Spey close by. Previous to all this the village has connections to the crusaders, the reformation & the Jacobite rebellion of 1715. There are Pictish remains in the area as well as the ones on Fairy Hill. Crossing the river is the Victoria Bridge known locally as the 'Penny Brig'. Whisky had been distilled legally in Aberlour since 1826 in the Aberlour distillery founded by John & James Grant. The village boasts some excellent examples of Victorian architecture serving as private homes & hotels.
RIVER SPEY The River Spey is one of the largest & fastest flowing rivers in Scotland, it rises in the Monadhliath mountains at Loch Spey & discharges nearly 100 miles away at the Moray Firth. It is home to some important species of salmon, otter, lamprey & pearl mussel. The river is popular for fishing, kayaking & rafting as well as the many whisky distilleries in the area. SPEYSIDE WALK This is one of four official long distance walks in Scotland, 84 miles in length it includes a route through river banks, moorland & railway lines (disused that is!!!) & passes by Aberlour.
ABERLOUR Driving into Aberlour from the south side the first thing you'll see is the Walkers shortbread factory on the left hand side. Walkers shortbreads are the ones with the tartan covers, they are sold all over the country at supermarkets & are usually found in hotel rooms & with airlines as on board snacks. If you enter from the north side you'll see the Aberlour distillery which offers two hour tours twice a day, although you are best to book in advance in the height of the season. Entrance costs £10.00 per person & the opportunity of tasting a sample of their products.
If shopping is 'your thing' then there is a small selection of good quality shops to be found in Aberlour Main Street. Parking is for free around Aberlour. 'Ewe & Me' (79 High St, Tel 01340 871283) is a Scottish gift shop that sells good quality items such as pottery, cards & toys, just standing at the door you cannot fail to smell the scented candles they sell inside. Just yards away on the same side of the street is 'Munro's' (77 High St, Tel 01340 871428) for outdoor gear & fishing tackle & accessories & in a separate shop, ladies fashion (93-95 High St Tel 01340 881682). At 110 High St Tel 01340 871142 is 'Country Cousins' selling elegant ladies clothing. Also on the High Street is 'Walkers' shortbread shop (Tel 01340 872013) dedicated to its products. You name it they have it, Walkers shortbread in all shapes, sizes & in a variety of tastes. Cross the road & you'll see the 'Mash Tun' B&B (Tel 01340 881771) in the area that used to be the local rail station.
Walk towards the square & you'll come across the 'Old Pantry' (The Square, Tel 01340 871617), this is a small restaurant selling local delicacies & a gift shop upstairs. The day I was there it was very busy & a little short of staff but it didn't spoil the experience. At the opposite of the square on the same side of the road is the 'Spey Larder' (96-98 High St, Tel 01340 871243) a charming Victoria styled shop selling a variety of Scottish & Continental food. Hampers can be made up to order & they offer sandwiches & coffee to take away. 'C. A. Gammack' the saddler & ironmonger are located on 83 High St (Tel 01340 871319) handy if you need a saddle in a hurry! Along with those shops are a general store for newspapers, snacks etc, flower shop, butcher, pharmacy, garage, filling station & a still life studio.
FISHING Salmon fishing can be arranged at the Lower Wester Elchies, Haugh of Elchies & Wester Elchies, permits/tickets can be purchased from the fishing tackle shop in the main street listed above. There is also a trout filled lake at Rothes a short distance away. There is more information available at www.fishspey.co.uk
GOLF Close to the village are several golf courses, a hilly & challenging course is at Dufftown a few miles north of Aberlour. There is a 9 hole course at Rothes & the championship course at Elgin sixteen miles away.
WHISKY Aside form the aforementioned Aberlour distillery, there are many more including the Glenfarclas distillery, Macallan distillery, Cardu distillery & Gelnlivet distillery, most offer tours & tasting. At Dufftown you can visit the Speyside Cooperage, once you get past the pyramid of casks on the outside (pictured) you can get a tour of the site. Whilst driving in the area & if the wind is blowing in the right direction you will smell the whisky in the air!
CYCLING Recently, the Forestry Commission opened the Moray Monster trails, it is 30km of single tracks suitable for mountain bikes & for riders of all ages & experience. For more relevant information check out www.mountainbikeclub.co.uk
WALKING There are numerous organized walks in the area including Linn Falls (2 miles), Aberlour to Dufftown (4 miles), Archiestown (2 miles), Glenallachie circuit (3 miles), Short Forest Walk (Purple route), Cairn Cattoch Walk (Yellow route) & many more.
OTHER OUTDOOR PURSUITS Clay pigeon shooting, skiing, horse riding & reindeer safari are all available depending on the time of the year, this is hosted by the nearby Glenlivet Estate & information is available at www.glenlivetestate.co.uk
PLACES TO STAY - HOTELS Aberlour Hotel Tel 01340 871287 Cragganmore Hotel Tel 01807 500359 Craigellachie Hotel Tel 01340 881204 Dowans Hotel Tel 871488 Minmore Hotel Tel 01807 590308
BED & BREAKFAST Mash Tun B&B Tel 01340 881771 Braehead Villa B&B Tel 01340 820461 Bridge View B&B Tel 01340 881376 Fairy Knowe House B&B 01340 871900 Torchattan House B&B Tel 01340 871737 Old Road House B&B Tel 01340 871554
CAMPING & CARAVAN SITES Aberlour Gardens Caravan Site Tel 01340 871586 Speyside Camping & Caravan Club Tel 01340 810414
SELF CATERING Tigh-Na-Cuile Tel 01542 860284
PLACES TO EAT Aberlour Take-a-Way Tel 01340 871871 The Old Pantry Tel 01340 871617 Fresh! Coffee Shop & Bistro Tel 01340 871333
Aberlour for its small size has a lot going for it even if you just want t spend a morning wandering around the village or an afternoon at the river with friends with a picnic hamper. It is highly recommended. What!? The weather? Well its Scotland isn't it, expect rain & anything else is a bonus!
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A selection of barrels on view at the cooperage
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Advantages: Pretty fast, reasonable service, wine has high alcohol content Disadvantages: Not always reliable, cattle class is crowded, tickets are expensive
marymoose99 01.11.2008 (01.11.2008)
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